Unbound Spirit
The miserable atmosphere clung to her body as the people left one by one, moving at a sluggish pace like thick fog passing by her. Her heart was filled with a deep emptiness at the sight before her misty blue eyes. She had hoped this day would've never come or that the man she loved would have been more prepared; but wiping away her silent tears, she knew that no amount of preparation would have lessened the pain for the young Fire Lord.
Blinking slowly while taking a ragged breath, Katara quietly thanked her close friends for dropping their busy schedule in order to attend the funeral. Giving a small smile for their concern over Zuko, she answered in the negative, "NO, it would be best not to talk to him right now. He probably wants to be alone."
Nodding in understanding, their small group cast one last glance at the firebender and left without another word. Katara watched them go, the ache in her heart deepening as she wished for the situation to turn out for the better. Closing her eyes, the young waterbender gathered her love, sending it toward the young man now kneeling next to the grave. She truly hoped that he was able to feel the comfort she was trying to offer, but opening her eyes, her heart sank at the difficulty her husband was enduring.
Under the cherry blossom tree, Zuko sat ramrod straight with tense shoulders, hands curled into fists on his thighs as he desperately tried to hold onto his fragile hope. He could feel Katara's worried gaze watching his every movement, but he refused to acknowledge her concern. Her attempt at comforting him only served to remind the young Firelord why he was in need of her comfort. His beloved uncle had died after many years of loving and guiding him.
Zuko had spent three agonizing hours cleaning his uncle's body, his tears mixing with the water, before yelling at his servants that they were not to touch his father figure for her would dress Iroh himself and, then finally, ignoring Katara's troubled gaze at the anger he displayed, knowing it only served to hide his heartbreak.
Choking on a sob as Katara placed a warm hand on his shoulder, he cursed his traitorous tears for their betrayal after he promised himself that he would not cry. Katara cautiously kneeled next to her husband, brows furrowing slightly as she placed a loving hand over his fist, but for the first time ever, Zuko did not relax under her touch.
"Zuko, please…" The young woman pleaded with her stubborn spouse as even the heavens started to weep at this tragoc day, she was once more ignored, her plea falling on deaf ears. Sighing with a shaky smiled, Katara kissed Zuko on the cheek before standing up from the ground. she had known all along that there would be nothing she could do, but she at least had to try.
Walking away she paused for a moment at the sound of Zuko's deep voice, but quickly stumbled on a soft sob at his words, "Leaves form the vine, falling so slowly…"
Covering her mouth to muffle the sound of her cries, she hastened her pace, leaving Zuko alone in the rain next to Iroh's grave as he sang the song one often heard his uncle singing.
Author's note: I know that I should probably be working on 'The Ice Of Flames' but I only recently got my inspiration back and to prove to you guys that I hadn't lost my vibe for this pairing , I decided to quickly write this story for you. I got this idea from a picture that I saw on how this girl/ guy thought Iroh's funeral would be so go check it out. It only has words and it on plain white.
And watch out for the update on 'The Ice of Flames'
Reviews, thoughts and rambling are very welcomed and much appreciated!